Dao Machete / Chopper of the Naga People, Assam

The Naga people of the Nagaland inhabiting the far North Eastern corner of Assam, on the border of India and Mianmar (Burma). It consist of several tribes. Their Dao choppers are used for warfare as well as for wood working and agricultural uses.

The chopper offered here is most probably coming from the Konyak  Naga people. Heavy blade  forged from laminated steel rod with high contrast pattern. Beveled sharpened. Bamboo haft bound with tight braided brass wires and with steel collar. The haft tip is decorated with tufts of red and black hair (Partially restored).

Blade 11 inches. Total length 27 inches. Very good condition. Good age patina on the Bamboo haft and the brass binding. Minor blackened areas on the blade.

Authentic, late 19 C. Chopper

A similar chopper is exhibited in the Cambridge University Museum of Archeology and Anthropology . See also: Julian Jacobs, The Nagas, Hill people of North East India,  Page 243.